Straub Won't be Named Police Chief Until He's Commissioned

SPOKANE, Wash. - In a few days, Spokane Mayor David Condon will ask the Spokane City Council to confirm Dr. Frank Straub as the new Director of Law Enforcement. City leaders are quick to explain that Straub will be Spokane's new Police Chief in everything but name until he becomes a commissioned officer in Washington State.

"I don't think the title matters at the end of the day," Straub told KHQ in a phone interview Thursday. "I think it's irrelevant. I think the important thing is to hit the ground running and that's what I expect to do. So whether I am the Police Chief or Director of Law Enforcement, I will still be carrying on the duties of the position."

Straub told KHQ he's headed to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, otherwise known as the police academy, this Wednesday to ask for a waiver. The waiver would allow him to take an equivalency exam instead of attending a five-month academy.

Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart is confident Straub will get the waiver because of his experience.

"There's not a resume stronger out there that cries for a waiver," Stuckart said in a phone interview.

Plus, Stuckart said affirming Straub as Director of Law Enforcement will significantly strengthen his case to get that waiver.

If Straub does get the waiver, he expects classes begin in January. The course lasts a few weeks and is all online so Straub could simultaneously take the classes and resume his duties at the police department.

If the commission does not approve the waiver, Straub would need to attend a five-month long academy class in Burien. If that happens, Straub said he's ready.

"I am fortunate," Straub said. "I stay in good shape and work out. It will be time consuming but absent that, it's pretty much it. I am going to abide by the Commission."

City Spokesperson Marlene Feist said the city should have a good idea what to expect at the meeting with the Commission next week. Of course, they're hopeful Straub will qualify for the waiver but Feist said "We'll deal with it either way."

SPOKANE, Wash. - An elderly North Spokane woman has been living in fear for months. She said an estranged relative abandoned a trailer in her backyard and then took off. She said the trailer has now attracted squatters and all sorts of criminal activity. She said she tried desperately to get it removed without any luck.

SPOKANE, Wash. - An elderly North Spokane woman has been living in fear for months. She said an estranged relative abandoned a trailer in her backyard and then took off. She said the trailer has now attracted squatters and all sorts of criminal activity. She said she tried desperately to get it removed without any luck.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - An 8-year-old Sacramento boy was beaten to death with a hammer while protecting his younger sister from being sexually assaulted by his mother's ex-boyfriend, according to court documents.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - An 8-year-old Sacramento boy was beaten to death with a hammer while protecting his younger sister from being sexually assaulted by his mother's ex-boyfriend, according to court documents. Investigators say Dante Daniels was beaten on September 1 and died six days later from his injuries. A criminal complaint says 23-year-old Deandre Chaney Jr. was performing a criminal lewd act on Dante's 7-year-old sister when Dante stepped in to help.

COLFAX, Wash. - Update 6:23 p.m.: Officials with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network say a reported explosion near Colfax Monday afternoon may have been the result of a faulty reading related to an earthquake in Montana.

COLFAX, Wash. - Update 6:23 p.m.: Officials with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network say a reported explosion near Colfax Monday afternoon may have been the result of a faulty reading related to an earthquake in Montana.

SPOKANE, Wash. - It's no secret that Spokane is struggling to fight homelessness in a battle that's been going on for years. People are getting passionate about what is and isn't being done about it. On Monday night, the city of Spokane wanted to hear from the community about tackling the problem of homelessness. Over a hundred people came to the meeting.

SPOKANE, Wash. - It's no secret that Spokane is struggling to fight homelessness in a battle that's been going on for years. People are getting passionate about what is and isn't being done about it. On Monday night, the city of Spokane wanted to hear from the community about tackling the problem of homelessness. Over a hundred people came to the meeting.

BREAKING: Charges of fraud and corruption in NCAA basketball have been brought against 10 individuals including coaches. The FBI has arrested ten people, including four college basketball coaches, as well as managers, financial advisors, and representatives of a major international sportswear company in a fraud & corruption probe.

BREAKING: Charges of fraud and corruption in NCAA basketball have been brought against 10 individuals including coaches. The FBI has arrested ten people, including four college basketball coaches, as well as managers, financial advisors, and representatives of a major international sportswear company in a fraud & corruption probe.

SPOKANE, Wash. - After a house break-in and burglary, one man already had enough on his plate. But then, he found out his dog was missing. “This was his area. This was his spot,” says Sean Copko. Sean got his 9-week-old blue heeler puppy Dale recently. He’s been posting his dog’s picture all over town in the hopes of finding him. “He's a little sweetheart,” he says.

SPOKANE, Wash. - After a house break-in and burglary, one man already had enough on his plate. But then, he found out his dog was missing. “This was his area. This was his spot,” says Sean Copko. Sean got his 9-week-old blue heeler puppy Dale recently. He’s been posting his dog’s picture all over town in the hopes of finding him. “He's a little sweetheart,” he says.